Newtown Community Pre-school

Inspection of Newtown Community Pre-school 37 Blackboy Road, Exeter EX4 6SZ

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children and parents are greeted warmly by friendly staff. Arrival and departure procedures have been revised to take account of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and children have adapted readily to the changes. Children are eager to start their day. They enjoy playing with their friends in the large playground. Children form strong attachments with the caring and kind staff. Staff provide good levels of support to help children to develop their physical skills. For example in the playground, staff hold children's hands to guide them up, across and down the climbing apparatus. Children gain confidence in their balancing skills and progress to use the apparatus independently. Staff praise children for their achievements. This helps to build children's self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Staff are positive role models. They manage minor disagreements calmly. Children develop a good understanding of staff expectations. They use good manners and show respect for other children and adults. Children's behaviour is very good.

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The provision is good

The curriculum is well planned and sequenced. Staff provide exciting activities based on children's interests and ensure that all areas of learning are accessible in both the indoor and outdoor environments. Staff have good knowledge of what children need to learn next and use this information successfully to progress children's learning. Children who receive additional funding are well supported.

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need to do better?

n Staff show good knowledge and understanding of the impact of the pandemic on children's development. They place a high focus to improve children's personal, social and emotional skills. Staff help children to develop their confidence, independence and feel good about themselves. Older children learn useful skills in readiness for starting school. n Although arrangements are in place to identify and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, further improvement is required to coordinate provision to meet the increase in the number of children attending the setting with additional needs. n Staff place a strong focus on developing children's communication and language skills. Good teaching strategies support all children, especially those who are learning English as an additional language and/or have delayed speech. For example, staff talk about what they are doing so that children hear good

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need to do better?

language modelled in a context with visual support. Staff respond positively to all attempts to communicate. They know what language is spoken in child's home, and learn key words to provide additional help when needed. Staff ensure children use their home language as well as English during play. n The manager and staff work well together to meet the needs of children.

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need to do better?

27 April 2022 However, there are limited opportunities for them to come together to share ideas, provide feedback and ask questions, to make more improvements to the overall running of the setting, staff morale and confidence. n Outdoor areas are used very well. For example, in the playground, children enjoy using the range of bikes, trikes and scooters. They show increasing skill in steering and balancing as they go down the slope. There are lots of laughter and smiles at the end of their rides. In the garden, staff follow children's interest in watering the potted plants. They support children to fill up their little watering cans and explain why the plants need water to drink. n The dedicated manager is committed to offer affordable, high-quality care and education. She undertakes many responsibilities to ensure the pre-school complies with requirements. Although she receives support from other trustees,

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need to do better?

there are too few procedures in place to closely monitor the effectiveness of her role and to develop the provision further. n Parents speak highly of the pre-school and the relationship staff have formed with the children. The online system and regular discussions ensure parents receive information about their children's care and progress. n Children enjoy regular story times and singing. They listen attentively, and enthusiastically join in with the repeated phrases. Staff skilfully extend children's interest and learning. For example, after a story about a child looking for eggs on a farm, staff encourage children to search for plastic coloured eggs in a large box full of straw. Children are supported to name colours, count, compare and shake the eggs. They show delight to find a toy chick in one of them.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff complete regular training and have a good understanding of child protection policies and procedures. They are aware of the signs and symptoms that would indicate a child is more vulnerable or at risk of abuse. Staff are knowledgeable about the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child in their care or about a colleague. Children learn how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, they follow instructions and hold the handrail when using the outdoor steps. Staff complete risk assessments and appropriately identify any hazards that may cause harm. As a result, children are closely supervised to reduce the risk of children's access to the garden shed.

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should:

n continue to develop trustees' knowledge and understanding of the statutory framework of the early years foundation stage, to improve procedures to monitor the effectiveness of the manager and to develop the provision further

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should:

27 April 2022 n continue to improve arrangements to coordinate provision to meet the increase in the number of children attending the setting with additional needs n increase opportunities for manager and staff to come together to share ideas, provide feedback and ask questions, to make further improvements to the overall running of the setting, staff morale and confidence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY536956 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10221225 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Newtown Community Preschool Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07794 317462 Date of previous inspection 28 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Newtown Community Pre-school re-registered in 2016 and is situated in Exeter, Devon. It is open from 8.30am until 5pm Monday to Friday during term time only. There are six members of staff. Of these, the manager and one other member of staff hold qualified teacher status. One member of staff holds an early years qualification at level 3 and two hold level 2. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID–19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received about the provider n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the setting.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

27 April 2022 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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